Pupil Reviews
After learning in a manual car and not being able to get the hang of the gears I contacted ray from Albany driving school. From day one I felt comfortable with him and driving automatic. I passed passed my test just before lockdown in march, and I have to say that I owe everything to ray, and I wouldn't of done it without him. He gave me the confidence that I needed when I was doubting myself. I would highly recommend ray and Albany driving school to anyone wanting to drive..
Lisa Barton. 18th July 2020
thank you Wayne who has helped me to pass my driving test today..18/11/2019. Definitely recommend Albany driving school
Rachel Field. 20th November 2019
Cannot thank Jim enough for everything, I passed my driving test today 20/11/19, 1st time with only 2 minors. Amazing instructor couldn't recommend more.... 😀
Louisa johnson 20th November 2019
passed my test today 13/11/19 with Wayne. I couldn't thank him enough for the time and effort he made for me. I couldn't recommend anyone better to go through to pass your test, he made me feel comfortable the whole time, was always positive and had faith in me, again thank you so much xchloe Richardson 1st November 2019
couldn't thank ray enough for all his helpin getting me through my test. Ray is a top Driving instructor,from my 1st lesson to the last he was always professional,friendly and always had a funny tale to tell.ray is exactly the person you want teaching you how to drive,he has years of experience and I always looked forward to my lessons with him...thank you!!! X
Abigail 1st November 2019
I passed my test today and have never been happier.
I was so nervous about taking the test. I almost gave up but Ray reassured me everything would be fine, with every lesson he encouraged me to persevere. He was right because now I passed with no faults. Best instructor ever.Bukky 24th October 2017
Omg..I can't thank you enough for my sons second driving lesson.
If you know my son it takes loads for him to let you in,but Ian Montgomery and Albany Driving School are the best ever
Many many thanks
Dionne20th January 2017
Passed my Automatic Driving test today 1st time at South Shields
Thanks to Ray and Albany
Lynn xx20th January 2017
Passed my test 1st time at sunderland sept 5th 2016
thanks to wayne my instructor and
thankyou albany driving school.
nicola14th September 2016
i would like to thank ian for helping me pass my driving test.i would highly recommend ian to anyone wanting to learn to drive. all round good guy with loads of craic.
thanks again
jason14th September 2016
I passed my driving test yesterday. It was the best feeling! I know without Ray i would not have acheived my pass.
THANKS RAY25th November 2015
Huge thanks to Ray for spending the last month restoring my confidence in driving after a break of nearly 6 years. A very patient, calm and understanding instructor who has given me a new lease of life! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. Thanks so much Ray, it's been a pleasure driving with you.
20th May 2015
passed my automatic test today
thanks to ray for all his help, going to miss the lessons,loved everyone of them
sam x3rd May 2015
Passed my test today in Sunderland.
Just want to say a big thank you to Phil. He is a great instructor and made me feel comfortable as soon as I started learning to drive. Thanks for putting up with me!
16th March 2015
passed my automatic test today 1st time at south shields with only 1 minor fault.i would like to thank ray and albany driving for all of their help
mel xx29th January 2015
I have to say a huge thank you to Ray. I hadn't driven for about 20 years, and then things changed in our lives and I really had to start again. I was really scared at the thought of driving again, then my daughter found Ray and I started again.
I have to say that he is one of the most patient and understanding persons that you could ever meet. I am 79 years old but that made no difference to this lovely man.I have now finished my lessons,but I feel that I now have another friend.
Thank you Ray
15th December 2014
Passed my test yesterday with kevin would definitely recommend
him fab driving instructor thanks kevin 🙂 🙂11th September 2014
passed my automatic test at southshields in 2012 with a clean sheet ( no faults )
would like to thank ray for all his help
great instructor
margaret.....
Margaret 15th June 2013
Big thank you to Albany ,and in particular Lynn, who has stuck through the tears and laughs for the past 6 months with me.
Couldn't have done it without her
First time pass today at Sunderland, I am over the moon. 😀
Thanks again!
Love Jade, xxxx
4th April 2013
Passed today 1st time!
Thanks to my instructor Lynn 🙂
Great instructor very friendly and patient when your nervous etc
Enjoyed my time learning
kayleigh xx
Kayleigh Selby 18th March 2013
a big thanks to ray and albany driving school
passed my automatic test in jan 2013 at sunderland
thankyou
ashley jane balloons, xx
8th February 2013
Just passed my test at sunderland 23/ 11/12
would like to thank sid for all his help.
Thank you Albany driving school26th November 2012
I'd like to thank Kevin for the fun we had whilst he taught me,
I passed my test first time on Tuesday with 9 minors
Great instructor. If I save enough money for Pass Plus, I'll be booking him again.
23rd June 2012
I've just passed my driving test at Sunderland, 13-6-12.
I would like to thank Sid for all his help getting me through,
Thank you for everything
holly
16th June 2012
Passed my test on 2/5/2012, first time, with only 6 minors,
would like to say thanks to my instructor SID, great instructor and easy to get along with,
will recommend albany driving school to everyone
chris
10th May 2012
just passed my test 13/4/2012
in sunderland 5 minors
i just want to say thanks to sid my instructor for all his help
thanks for everything
16th April 2012
passed my test on monday 9th jan
thanks to phil and albany driving school
emm x
12th January 2012
passed my adi part 2 test at sundrland 10/1/12 1st time
and with no minors ( clean sheet ).
would like to thank ray for all his help, a brilliant adi instructor.
cheers
jim
12th January 2012
hi
just passed my automatic driving test 1st time in durham
would like to say a big thankyou to ray
thanks for everything ray
anita x
6th January 2012
Just passed today (1/11/11)
just want to say a massive big thank you to Sid! He's so patient and kind, would definitely recommend him to anyone hes minttt!
thank you again!! 😀
1st November 2011
Passed first time with 2 minors on 18_07_2011
thanks to Ian whos a Brilliant instructor he made everything so simple. couldnt recommend highly enough......thanks alot.
chris
21st July 2011
I took my test today Tuesday 19th july 2011 at sunderland at 2.37pm.
i passed first time and would like to thank sid for all his help.
Still hasn't sunk in
thankyou albany and sid
melanie
19th July 2011
23rd June 2011
I woul like to take this opportunity to thank sid and albany driving school for helping me pass my practical test.
THANKS now to see what insurance is going to cost
17th July 2011
Passed my test second time with 3 minors with Lynn on 20/05/2011
Masssssssssive thank you to Lynn for putting up with me! xxx
20th May 2011
Wooohooo passed my test today at gateshead 4/5/11, first attempt with 2 minors,
would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to sid, he is excellent, brilliant, fantastic.
I'll remember this day for rest of my life.
Just need a car now. thanks sid
natalie.xx
4th May 2011
Passed my test today first time 4/05/2011
Just want to say a really big thanks to lynn rogers for getting me thought my test first time with only 1 minor, she is a really fantastic driving instructor couldnt of asked for a better one, she made me feels at ease and is a really good friend thankyou lynn would recommend you to anyone x x
Stll carnt believe it woohoo.
Well of out for a drive now haha x x
4th May 2011
Passed my test 26/1/2011 at Sunderland
Just wanted to thank Ray for being such a great driving instructor!
Already miss having my lessons as they were always made fun and enjoyable. I would most definitely recommend Albany driving school to those looking to learn to drive.
Thanks again, couldnt of done it without you help.
Emma x
2nd April 2011
just passed my automatic test today at sunderland
a big thanks must go to ray.
ive had loads of instructors from other driving school and all made me feel totaly useless, they even at times had me in tears.
but ray is a fantastic instructor and a loverly man. i will recommend him and albany driving school to everyone
thankyou so much
joan xxx
8th March 2011
hi
i passed my test at gateshead 2nd time in october 2010
ive just done my pass plus with albany and had a great time
we drove all over yorkshire then up and around the northumberland coast
and i saved a small fortune in insurance
would recommend to everyone
chris
2nd March 2011
Pased my test today 24/2/11 at sunderland first time.
I would like to thank sid for all his help. He is a friendly and patient instructor and kept things simple and easy to understand.
Can't wait to get my own car.
Thanks again Sid & Albany.
25th February 2011
Passed my test today at Sunderland with only 3 minors!
Couldn't have done it without Ray. Absolutely loved learning to drive with him, what a brilliant instructor. I will really miss my lessons!
I would recommend Albany 100% to anyone wanting to learn to drive
Thanks Ray!
Jennifer xxx
21st February 2011
just had my 1st lesson with albany today 12th feb
after being ripped off loads and loads of money totaling over £1000s
of pounds from another driving school, it was great to drive with an honest professional instructor and driving school
thank you so much albany
jo
13th February 2011
passed my automatic test at sundrland on friday 11th feb
and i have my own car waiting for me to drive
thanks to albany for all your help
see you around ray
emma x
13th February 2011
passed at south shields 8/2/2011 with only 1 minor
i would recommend albany to everyone wanting to learn to drive
holly
13th February 2011
hello albany,
i passed my automatic test in november 2010 thanks ray for all your help and see you on the road
stacey xx
30th January 2011
I passed first time after a month of learning to drive with Kevin.
I had never even turned a car on before let alone drive one, but after just over a month I passed first time with only 3 minors.
Kevin was a great driving instructor, really patient and approachable.
I would definitely recommend to other learner drivers!!!
21st January 2011
Passed with phil first time great company at a good charge.
I now have a little micra and love driving !!!!!!!!!
19th January 2011
thats great news !
ive just heard that rays back teaching automatici passed 3 yrs ago 1st time in gateshead
hes a fantastic instructor
your all in safe hands with himthanks albany and ray
nat xx4th November 2010
Passed my test 26.10.10 at gateshead
Would like to thank Ray for his help and support and i would recommend Albany to anyone
Cheers Chris
28th October 2010
Passed my test 13.9.10 1st time at sunderland.
Just like to thank ray for all the help and guidance, hes a spot on instructor and easy to get along with.
Would recommend 100% to anyone.
Cheers Ray see you on the road.
Callum.
25th September 2010
Passed my automatic test today 16 9 2010
i would like to thank albany for all there help and advice they are an excellent driving shool
over the moon still cant believe it thank you so much
angela xx
16th September 2010
I started taking lessons with Albany and Sid because my friend had passed first time with help from Sid.
I enjoyed my lessons and I managed to pass at Sunderland on Monday 23rd August.
Thank you Sid and Albany Driving School i will remember everything you have taught me.
Amy
26th August 2010
i would like to thank sid for my lessons, and getting me through my test at the first attempt.
I passed at Durham on Monday 19th July, it feels grrrrreat.
Will miss my lessons really enjoyed them, but really glad i have passed. Thanks sid and albany.
Ross
26th August 2010
I passed my test at sunderland on tues 20th july at my second attempt, very nervous, but not as bad as my first time , failed coz i was a bag of nerves.
Would like to thank Sid for all his time getting me ready.
Thanx Sid and Albany.
Chris
26th August 2010
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK SID AND ALBANY DRIVING SCHOOL FOR HELPING ME PASS MY DRIVING.
I PASSED MY TEST AT GATESHEAD TEST CENTRE ON TUES 6TH JULY 2010 AT MY FIRST ATTEMPT.
SID WAS GREAT, HE DIDN'T SHOUT, AND HELPED ME RELAX.
I WOULD RECCOMMEND SID AND ALBANY TO ANYONE WISHING TO LEARN.
NICOLA
26th August 2010
Have just passed my test today 11.08.10.
I would like to thank Lynn Rogers who has been my driving instructor for more years than I'd like to count!!
Lynn has always been supportive and full of encouragment and gave me the confidence to finally book and pass my test 1st time.
Thanks Lynn, very grateful!
Toni Nichols
11th August 2010
Just passed my test today on the first go, 6th July 2010 at Sunderland
I would like to thank Kevin for all his help teaching me how to drive, he has been a good instructor and now I am a confident driver.
Thanks Kevin and Albany
6th July 2010
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Albany Driving School and Sid for helping me pass my Driving Test today 15th May, at my FIRST attempt at Sunderland Test centre.
I started learning with Vicki Moore, but unfortuneately vicki hurt her back and couldn't continue with my lessons.
Vicky put me in touch with albany, and sid was my instructor.
Once again Thank s to Albany and Sid, ( he is so patient ) .
30th May 2010
I passed my test today Friday 14th May at Gateshead,
I would like to thank sid and Albany Driving school for all their help.
I start a new job in a weeks time, and now have my full licence to help me along.
Thanks again Sid and Albany
30th May 2010
Passed my test on May 16th.
I would like to thank Sid for all the work he put into helping me pass my test first time.
He's a really friendly instructor with a lot of patience and experience.
I hope to be driving independently as soon as possible.
Thanks again Sid and Albany Driving School.
Anthony
21st May 2010
I passed my test today 8th April 2010 at Gateshead,
I would like to thank Sid for all his patience and help in getting me through my test.
Thanks Sid and Albany Driving School
8th April 2010
I passed my test on march 18th 2010 at Sunderland ,I was estatic and still am now
it allows you to have so much more independence to be able to get in the car and go where ever now I have a full driving licence!!!!!.
Would just like to thank Sid for his patience and encouragment throughout my lessons.
I would reccommend Albany to anyone wanting to drive.
Thanks Sid and Albany.
Sarah
31st March 2010
Passed my test today, wednesday 30th march 2010, at south shields.
Would like to thank sid and albany driving school for helping me to pass.
Thanks sid and albany you are the best.
Marc
31st March 2010
Just passed my test today!
I had given up hope of ever driving until I started learning in an automatic with Stuart.
Thank you so much Stuart and Albany!
jane.
23rd March 2010
Passed at sunderland thur 18th march
thankyou albany for everthing
Had a good test and the sunderland routes are quite easy
it took 50 mins thou cos we got stuck on the bridgecheers ray and see you for a pint sometime
jason
23rd March 2010
Passed my test at sunderland, on 18th march,
I would like to thank sid for all his help.
Still on cloud 9,
Thanks sid & albany.
Sarah
22nd March 2010
Passed today at sunderland
There was six tests on at the same time and
i was the only pass ha haThey all should of went with albany !!!!
Many thanks to ray who is a great instructor
Heather
15th March 2010
After spending months having driving lessons with another driving school ,only to be told I was about half way there, I contacted Ray and asked him to take me out for a lesson.
I asked him to be honest with me and he confirmed what I thought, I was being taken for a ride,( pardon the pun)
Since starting with Ray I have gone from strength to strengh and would recommend him to anyone.
12th March 2010
Passed my test on Wednesday at Sunderland,
would like to thank Sid for helping me (great instructor)
will def recommend albany to everyone.
Now i have my full licence can apply for that new job.
Thanks Sid and Albany
dean
25th February 2010
passed on wednesday at sunderland
many thanks to lynn who is a brilliant instructor
will recommend lynn and albany to everyone
thankyouc, xxx
20th February 2010
Passed today 1st time at South-Shields
thankyou kev for all your help and get well soonand also
thanks to ray for helping at short noticekeep up the good work boys !!!!!!!
kirsten
16th February 2010
just like to say
that i booked my first driving lesson today and was feeling
really nevous to do soalbany really made me feel at ease and i cant wait to start
driving with themand after talking to other driving schools i know that ive made
the right choice
jean8th February 2010
i would like to thank phil
without his great patience and understanding
i dont think that could passed today 28/1/2010
he is a brilliant driving instructor
many many thanks
4th February 2010
passed today at s/shields ( 27th jan ).
i would like to thank kev my instructor for all his help
and a big thank you to ray who stepped in at short
notice to take mei hope you get well soon kev
to everyone wishing to book lessons
dont waste your time and money trying other schools
like i did, theres a lot of rip off schools out thereonly go to albany ....they are simply excellent !!!!!!!!
many thanks to albany
judith xxx
27th January 2010
hello
i passed today 1st time at south shields ( 26 jan 2010 )
thanks to kev for all his help and a big thanks to ray
who took me for my test at short notice
all the best kev and i hope the nurses are good looking for youget well soon mate
joe
26th January 2010
Alright Ray
Passed today (26th jan) 1st time at south shields
would like to thank ray for all his help
see you on the golf course soon
take care
chris p26th January 2010
I would like to thank Sid for all his help getting me to test standard.
I passed today 21/1/10 at the new test centre in Sunderland.
thanks again to Sid and of course Albany Driving School,
will recommend to everyone.
21st January 2010
hi ray
i did my instructor training with albany in 2008 and
i am now running my own driving school in sunderlandi would highly recomend ray to anyone that wants to train as an
instructorit was and still is the right thing to do
keep up the good work, and keep intouch
lynne xx14th January 2010
passed my test on the 7th december 2009
thanks to phil for all his help
a really good instructor
lyn xx
p.s
i love the new top signs17th December 2009
I have just passed my test today at gateshead 9/12/2009, and would like to thank sid for all his help.
It takes a while for things to sink in for me, as i am also learning english, as i am from portugal.
Thanks again to sid and albany.
THANK YOU
10th December 2009
just past my driving test today 3.12.09 at sunderland
i would like to thank stuart for helping me through it. an excellent instructor and will fully recomend him to everyone thanks ever so much stuart and albany driving scool.
thanks again sandra. xx
3rd December 2009
I passed my test today at south shield first time.
Would like to thank Ray and Albany Driving School for everything. But Ray you havent got rid of me yet as we have my pass plus to do.
Cya soon and thanx again
Love Jordan xxx
23rd November 2009
Passed my test today first time at Durham yahoooo.
Would like to thank sid (great instructor) and albany,
thanks a lot.
Rock on !!!
18th November 2009
I passed my test on the 9th October at South Shields.
I would like to thank Sid and Albany Driving School for helping me achieve this goal.
Thanks again.
- Vicky
5th November 2009
hi phil
thanks for all your help
passed on 18 august 2009
cheers
13th October 2009
I would like to say thanks to Lyn
I passed my test on the 13-8-2009.
I will never forget the endless chats about the other bad drivers on the road (particularly people who dont use their indicators on roundabouts!)
I hope i didnt scare you too much during my lessons.
Thanks again. Ill see you around...
16th August 2009
Just wanted to say a huge thanks to Lynn for making my driving lessons so enjoyable and getting me through my test first time 🙂
love Kim
xx
16th August 2009
ive just passed my test today at south shields
would like to thank stuart
great instructor .had some good laughs, and some good crackonly got 1 minor fault,
thanks again
kevin
august 10th 200910th August 2009
i tried 5 other driving schools and wasted hundreds of pounds
albany driving school made me feel welcome from my 1st to last lesson
i passed 1st time in south shields on monday 3rd august
many thanks to ray and albany
alisha
6th August 2009
i heard that ray was the best instructor around, from almost everyone
in washingtonso my mate craig and myself waited for him to be available
craig passed 1st time after only 19 lessons with 4 minors
i passed 1st time with only 18 lessons and only 2 minors
beat that anyone !!!!!!!!!!
cheers ray
ryan & craig
20th July 2009
just want to thank Stuart...............great guy to teach you to drive....
made it fun to do the lessons
cheers Stuart for that pass certificate....
Jen
17th July 2009
IKanya
I would like to thank sid for helping me pass my driving test today 29/06/09, he was really helpful.
thankyou so much
29th June 2009
Many thanks to Ray and Albany Driving School.
Really loved the learning process and, i'm about to pick up my first car today.
Would highly recommend Albany to anyone.
Thanks again!!
10th June 2009
I passed my test just over a year and a half ago when i was 17, and in only 6 months.
I got lessons from Sid, and i cant thank him enough for what he has helped me achieve.
He made sure i understood everything before telling me something else and always made me laugh.
I passed my theory and practical first time. I cant thank him enough.
Thank you Sid, and Albany xx
2nd June 2009
Passed today at southshields
thankyou ray for everthing,
will recommend albany driving to everyone
kaley......
12th May 2009
Thanks to a great instructor (Stuart) I passed my test first time today.
Still haven't come of my cloud.
Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou.
11th May 2009
Hi phil,
Passed my test 28/4/09
Thanx for all your help
See you
cheryl
6th May 2009
Passed my driving test today 1st May with Sid.
Really enjoyed my lessons with a friendly and patient instructor.
Thanks Sid and Albany.
Will recommend to everyone.
Emma
1st May 2009
I found Albany Driving School most helpful.
I passed my test on January 16th thanks to Sid.
I learned alot in a short space of time, they are very efficient driving school.
would recommend Albany and Sid to anyone who is going to learn to drive.
Lloyd
20th April 2009
went automatic with albany after spending loads of money trying to pass in manual cars
thanks to stuart i passed in only 10 extra lessons, and 1st time !!!
i will recommend albany and stuart to everyone
thanks again
jo
9th April 2009
just passed my adi pt 2 many thanks to ray.
exellent instructions easy to follow diagrams clear photos ,
now for pt3 future looks bright
thanks again
kev
24th March 2009
Just wanted to say thankyou to Stuart
Passed my Theory last week first time.
Now for the practical!!!
23rd March 2009
My lessons are still ongoing with Ray.
I have only been to this driving school and i can honestly say i know i'm in the best hands,
I thoroughly recommend Albany Driving School!
lucy...
13th March 2009
i would just like to say a big thankyou to kev for all his help
.
this lad's not just eye candy, he's a very good instructor as well
.
thanks again for getting me through my test.jo xx
12th March 2009
I tried loads of driving schools in sunderland & washington, and paid hundreds of pounds trying to pass, i was going to give up until i was recomended to albany.
I was made welcome from my first lesson up to the day i passed, 5/5/2008.
have to say a big thankyou to Ian my instructor, and to Ray for for everthing.
Passing my test with Albany has changed my life.
wish you all well
suzy.11th March 2009
Passed my test on the 2nd of March with Sid.
Lessons were great and I had a great time Learning to drive.
I passed first time with 3 minors... STILL hasn't sunk in
Thanks a BUNDLE Albany and Sid
10th March 2009
GREAT WEB-SITE
Passed 1st time in jan 09,
just have to say thankyou phil, i really enjoyed my lessons and all the laughs we had. ( going to miss those awful jokes).
Still cant believe it.thank you phil, and Albany Driving School.
9th March 2009
Passed my adi part 2 test on wednesday 4th march, at south-shields.
1st time and only 3 minors.
now going on a trainee badge with Albany Driving School, and i cant wait.
got to say a big thankyou to ray, he is a brilliant adi instructor, and i feel so lucky to of had him. he makes everthing so easy to understand.thankyou, Lisa
9th March 2009
Passed my test sat 28th at Sunderland
Thanks to Lynn for all your help.
GREAT INSTRUCTOR ! Will recommend you to everyone
Luke
9th March 2009
hi to ray
just passed my test at southshields on fri
thanks to ray for everthing
andy
7th March 2009
I did the full adi course with ray, and all i can say is the level of his knowledge and with rays friendliness made my training very easy. i passed all parts 1st time and in only 6 months.
a fantastic driving school, and a brilliant instructor.
many thanks
sarah.![]()
6th March 2009